David Abes leaves LDV Hospitality, returns to Buckhead Life Group

David Abes, who has been director of operations for New York-based LDV Hospitality and helped open Corso Coffee and Dolce Italian at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, has left to take a leadership role at Buckhead Life Restaurant Group in Florida.

David Abes at Dolce Italian opening.

Abes’s new role will be Florida regional director of operations for Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. In his new position, Abes’s first task will be the opening of a second Lobster Bar Sea Grille at South Beach in the Miami Beach community of south Florida.

He reportedly will not be relocating to Florida because he will assume the role of COO with the company at its Buckhead headquarters after opening the new Florida restaurant. Abes expects the 10,000-square-foot restaurant to open by next fall.

Abes joined LDV a year ago from Here to Serve restaurants, which recently closed the doors of all their restaurants. There currently are no immediate plans to replace Abes at LDV.

In a way, Abes now is going home to Buckhead Life group. Prior to Here To Serve, Abes served as general manager for the Atlanta Fish Market during the mid-to-late 90s. Abes also previously was general manager of Buckhead’s Horseradish Grill and owned Insignia restaurant.

Reportedly, future plans of LDV to open American Cut and Regent Cocktail Club have been put on hold until next fall, because the group is focusing upcoming openings in Puerto Rico and New York. There was no indication if that delay had anything to do with his leaving LDV.

Started in 1979, the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group has been a staple of the Atlanta dining scene and today includes Kyma, Chops Lobster Bar, Corner Cafe, Pricci, Bistro Niko, Buckhead Diner and the Atlanta Fish Market in Buckhead.

The group entered the south Florida market in 2007 with Chops Lobster Bar and later added City Fish Market, and most recently, Lobster Bar Sea Grille, a more contemporary version of Chops Lobster Bar in Ft. Lauderdale.

Sam Massell presented ADL Human Relations Award
Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell has been given the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Human Relations Award “In recognition of (his) inspiring leadership and commitment to the

Sam Massell

welfare of the entire Atlanta community.”

The presentation of the annual award, which is named for the former Abe Goldstein who played a key role in ADL efforts fighting every forum of bigotry and protecting civil rights for all, was made at The Temple, where Massell has been a life-time member of the congregation.

Massell acknowledged Goldstein as a political mentor of his and a very close ally of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Hartsfield.

The Nov. 19 evening program included a presentation by J. Brett Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Atlanta, on “How law enforcement responds to extremism,” and by Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church who spoke on “The other side of the picket line”.

The event hosted in both Engel & Völkers Buckhead Atlanta’s storefront facing Pharr Road, as well as in a courtyard area of The Shops BuckheadAtlanta that was closed for the grand opening event, was attended by almost 400 city officials, top clients and industry notables.

The Engel & Volkers party crowd filled the courtyard streets of Buckhead Atlanta for the private party.

The winning campaign included extensive pre- and post-event communications and PR; event planning, decorating and catering; stylish gifts and gift bags; and participation in the event by a number of The Shops BuckheadAtlanta retailers and restaurants.

“We carefully considered and planned our launch into the Buckhead Atlanta market, executing an international celebration including our valued clients, friends and new neighbors,” said Gary. “Our event was just as lavish and unique as our brand and our targeted client base.”

Gary added, “Winning this Gold OBIE for our grand opening event is the icing on the cake.”

The OBIE Awards are the premier awards in Atlanta’s new home construction industry and recognize outstanding achievement in new home building, marketing, remodeling and personal achievement categories.

Luxury Realtor Lisa Robinson lists Terminus Penthouse

Lisa Robinson

One of Atlanta’s successful brokers and luxury real estate experts, Lisa Robinson, private office advisor with Engel & Völkers Buckhead Atlanta, is the exclusive listing agent for the luxurious penthouse condominium in the Terminus Building in Buckhead.

The spacious home is listed at $2,180,000. The penthouse features 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths and an open floorplan that takes advantage of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlanta skyline. The master suite offers two spa-like bathrooms, two large closets, and a sitting room.

The home’s kitchen boasts top-of-the-line appliances by Wolf and Sub Zero, and a huge island. The penthouse also includes a media room, a bar, and a private office, and the additional bedrooms have en-suite marble baths.